Britain
lorries Trucks
1980s 1990s

Bedford TL

(1980 to 1992)
Bedford TL truck range
Overview
ManufacturerBedford Vehicles
Also calledAWD TL
Production1980–1986 (Bedford)
1988-1992 (AWD)
AssemblyDunstable plant
Body and chassis
ClassCommercial vehicle
Body stylechassis cab, tipper
LayoutLongitudinal front engine
Powertrain
Engine6-cylinder diesel/petrol
Dimensions
Wheelbase4.45m (6x4)
6.3m
Width2.5m
Height2.53m (cab)

 

The Bedford TL is a truck that was produced by the British Bedford Vehicles company, a subsidiary of the General Motors owned Vauxhall Motors. Launched in June 1980, the more comfortable TL was intended to complement the Bedford TK, on which it was heavily based. Production began in April 1980, to allow trucks to reach dealers for the premiere. The TL was taken out of production with Bedford's demise in 1986, but production recommenced in 1988 with new owners AWD. The range expanded to include various derivatives, but production ended for good in 1992 when AWD went into receivership.

History and use

The chassis was as for the TL, with some minor alterations at the front to accommodate the new flat-floor cab. The front suspension, now taper leaf sprung, was also new. The TL was designed mainly for short hauls, but comfort was a bigger priority than for the TK. While an ample number of combinations were available, power outputs were higher than for the TK. From launch, the TL was powered by petrol and diesel engines.

The six-cylinder petrol power units were the 214P 3.5-litre and the 300P 4.9-litre. The diesel units were the updated versions of the TK's 3.6-litre four-cylinder 220D and the 5.4-litre six-cylinder 330D, with the option for heavier models of the 8.2-litre Blue Series. Power outputs are 83 or 114 hp (62 or 85 kW) for the petrols, while the diesels offer 65 or 98 hp (48 or 73 kW) for the 220D and the 330D. The Blue Series offered either 128 or 151 hp (95 or 113 kW) depending on the model.

By 1984 the engine power was slightly increased with the adoption of turbocharging and the engines were reclassified and now called Red Series. The 3.6-litre 220D was now called the 70TD and the 5.4-litre 330D became the 105TD - the new names signified maximum power outputs. The 8.2-litre Blue Series engines continued in two version; the 130TD and the higher rated 175TD.

When AWD re-launched the TL in 1988, it was equipped with two 6-cylinder engines; initially as the 17-18 model with a Perkins Phaser 180 bhp (134 kW; 182 PS) unit, and from 1990 with the 17-27 with a Cummins 8.3-litre producing 269 bhp (201 kW; 273 PS).

1983 Bedford TL truck

1983 Bedford TL truck

Categories
Bedford
Title
Bedford TL (1980-1992)

Description

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Technical

Technical

  • Bedford TL Technical details and specifications (1980-1992)

    DIMENSIONS
    Width overall : Over front wings, 2200mm. (86•6in.)
    Height overall (unladen) :Top of cab, 1482/1548mm. according to model
    Wheelbase : Tractors, 2438mm. (96in.) ; others, from 2921mm. (115in.) to 5689mm. (224in.) according to model


    TRANSMISSION

    Clutch :Borg & Beck single dry plate: 220, IOin.; 330, 13in.; 500L, 14in.; 500M, 15in. (turbo., 14in.)
    Gearbox :Bedford 4-speed, Turner or Eaton 5-speed according to model
    Drive shafts :Fully floating
    Final drive gear : Spiral bevel or Hypoid

    BRAKES:
    Vacuum or Air/hydraulic
    Front: various diam: 330-2 to 409-4
    Rear: various diam: 307-9 to 409-4

    STEERING
    Type : Vauxhall semi-irreversible worm and sector or Burman recirc. ball with integral power assistance
    Camber angle : 0° 30' to 1°

    FRONT SUSPENSION
    Type : I-section beam axle; leaf springs
    Width of leaves : 75mm
    Bar diameter :
    Bar length :
    Spring rate :

    REAR SUSPENSION
    Type : Semi-elliptic leaf springs
    Number of leaves : various 7 to 11

    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    Battery : 220 (3-6 litre) 12V. 95A.h. 330 (5-4 litre) 12V. 128A.h. 500 (8-2 litre) 24V. (2 x 12V.) 95A.h.
    Battery earth : Negative
    Alternator : Lucas 17ACR or A.C. Delco DN460; 35A. at 6000 r.p.m.
    Starter motor : Lucas M50 or C.A.V. CA45


    Petrol Engines

    Engine 214 petrol Cubic capacity- 214.7cu.in. (3.5 litres)
    Type - 4-stroke; overhead valves
    Cooling system - Water pump radiator
    Number of cylinders - 6 (direct in block)
    Firing order - 1-5-3-6-2-4
    Bore - 3-375in.
    Stroke - 4.0in.
    Compression ratio & pressure - 6.75:1; 130/1401b./sq.in.
    Brake horse-power (net) - 86 at 3,400 r.p.m.
    Torque (net) lb.ft. - 170 at 1,200 r.p.m.
    Piston rings—number - 2 comp.; 1 oil .
    Oil pressure (lb./sq.in.) - 25 to 35
    Gudgeon pin diameter - 0-8125 to 0-8122in.
    Crankpin diameter -010, .020, .030, .040in
    Con. rod length (centres) - 6-942 to 6-932in.
    Camshaft drive—type - Chain
    Petrol pump - A.C.-Delco

    Carburettor (Zenith) 42VN
    Choke tube - 36 (3 bars)
    Main jet - 135
    Air correction jet - 135
    Pilot jet - 65
    Pilot jet air bleed - 140
    Pump jet - 70
    Needle valve 2.0 (l.6 washer)

    Carburettor (Zenith) 34VN
    Choke tube - 29 (l bar)
    Main jet - 115
    Air correction jet - 100
    Pilot jet - 65
    Pilot jet air bleed - 140
    Pump jet - 70
    Needle valve 2-25 (2mm washer)

    Carburettor (Zenith) 37VNR
    Choke tube - 32 (3 bar)
    Main jet - 130
    Air correction jet - 100
    Pilot jet - 65
    Pilot jet air bleed - 140
    Pump jet - 70
    Needle valve 2-25 (2mm washer)

    Engine 300 Petrol 300.7cu.in. (5 litres)
    Type - 4 stroke
    Cooling system - Water pump radiator
    Number of cylinders - 6 (direct in block)
    Firing order - 1-5-3-6-2-4
    Bore - 3.875in
    Stroke - 4.25in.
    Compression ratio & pressure - 6.6:1 125/1351b./sq.in.
    Brake horse-power (net) - 114 at 3,200 r.p.m.
    Torque (net) lb.ft. - 222 at 1,200 r.p.m.
    Piston rings—number - 2 comp.; 1 oil .
    Oil pressure (lb./sq.in.) - 25 to 35
    Gudgeon pin diameter - 1.0002 to 0.9998in.
    Crankpin diameter - 1.0002 to 0.9998in.
    Con. rod length (centres) - 6-942 to 6-932in.
    Camshaft drive—type - Gears
    Petrol pump - A.C.-Delco mech

    Carburettor (Zenith) 48VIN
    Choke tube - 36 (no bars)
    Main jet - 150
    Air correction jet - 140
    Pilot jet - 70
    Pilot jet air bleed - 140
    Pump jet - 80
    Needle valve 2.5 (l.6 washer)

    Diesel Engines


    220 Diesel 220cu.in. 3.6L Engine
    Type - 4-stroke, overhead valves Direct injection
    Cooling system - fan and thermostat
    Number of cylinders - 4 (dry liners)
    Firing order - 1-3-4-2
    Bore - 4.0625in.
    Stroke - 4.25in.
    Compression ratio & pressure - 17:1 420/4801b./sq.in.
    Brake horse-power (net) - 64,8 at 2,600 r.p.m.
    Torque (net) lb.ft. - 153 at 1,400 r.p.m.
    Piston rings—number - 3 comp.; 2 oil
    Oil pressure (lb./sq.in.) -25 to 35
    Valve timing- Inlet opens, 160 48' B.T.D.C. 660 A.B.D.C. Exhaust opens, 460 48' B.B.D.C.; closes 360 A.T.D.C.

    330 Diesel 330cu.in. 5.4L Engine
    Type - 4-stroke, overhead valves.side camshaft Direct injection
    Cooling system - fan and thermostat
    Number of cylinders - 6 (dry liners)
    Firing order - 1-5-3-6-2-4
    Bore - 4.0625in.
    Stroke - 4.25in.
    Compression ratio & pressure - 17:1 420/4801b./sq.in.
    Brake horse-power (net) - 98 at 2,600 r.p.m.
    Torque (net) lb.ft. - 234 at 1,800 r.p.m.
    Piston rings—number - 3 comp.; 2 oil
    Oil pressure (lb./sq.in.) -25 to 35
    Valve timing- Inlet opens, 160 48' B.T.D.C. 660 A.B.D.C. Exhaust opens, 460 48' B.B.D.C.; closes 360 A.T.D.C.

    ENGINE: 500cu.in. (8-2-litre)
    Type :4-stroke, overhead valves.side camshaft Direct injection
    Cooling system :Water pump radiator fan, thermostat (790/840C.)
    Number of cylinders :6 (dry liners)
    Firing order :1-5-3-6-2-4
    Idling speed :550/600 r.p.m
    Bore :4.5625in. (115•9mm.)
    Stroke :5.1 in. (129•5mm.)
    Cubic capacity :500in.3 (8-2 litres)
    Comp. ratio and pressure : 16:1
    Brake horsepower (DIN) PS :
    Torque (DIN) : 128-155 at 2650 TURBO 132-176 at 2500
    Oil pressure :44/58 at 2500 r.p.m.
    Main bearings :7 steel-backed aluminium-tin
    Valve timing :22°24 BT - 64° 6 AB -73°BB - 44°22 AT
    Fuel lift pump :A.C. Delco vpp
    Injection pump :C.A.V. distributor, DPA
    TURBO: Holset H2B Or Garrett AiResearch TO/4B

    © Motor car History

Service

  • Bedford TL Maintenance and Service Guide (1980-1992)


    Total Engine oil max :3.6 Engine 8 litres
    Total Engine oil max :5.4 Engine 9.5 litres
    Total Engine oil max :8.2 Engine 14 litres
    Engine oil change : 3.6 Engine 5.7 litres
    Engine oil change : 5.4 Engine 8 litres
    Engine oil change : 8.2 Engine 12 litres
    Gearbox oil : Bedford 4-speed, 3.7 litres
    Gearbox oil : Turner T5:400,6.8 litres
    Gearbox oil : Eaton 475SM, 5.7 litres Eaton 542SM, 6.5 litres
    Differential : 2.3-3.4 litres
    Cooling system : 3.6 Engine 18.7 litres
    Cooling system : 5.4 Engine 22-1 litres
    Cooling system : 8.2 Engine 30-7 litre
    Fuel tank size: 54-118 litres

    © Motor car History

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